These chewy oat bars are made even better with a drizzle of melted Nutella.
"If I could find something to rhyme with 'chocolate hazelnut temptress', I would write an ode to Nutella" is what I posted on the Cookin' Canuck Facebook page yesterday. Little did I know that Becky of the personal blog Rave & Rant would come through for me with this little ditty: "Oh, chocolate hazelnut temptress! On toast you don't fail to impress! I love you so madly, you never taste badly... Though you make me too fat for my dress!" I think she sums it up rather succinctly, don't you?
This poetic waxing about Nutella comes at a perfect time. Sara of Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle of Bleeding Espresso proclaimed February 5th as World Nutella Day. Between this celebration of the creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread and a generous Super Bowl spread, I will be eating from dawn on Saturday until the winning coach is showered in Gatorade. I can live with that, particularly if these chewy oatmeal bars are part of the festivities.
Some of my previous Nutella recipes:
Left to right: Chocolate Nutella Fudge with Sea Salt, Nutella Sugar Sandwich Cookies and Cherry & Nutella Ice Cream Sundae
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, with rack set in middle of the oven. Line a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving a some foil overlapping on each side. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and ground nutmeg.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, one a time, beating after each addition.
Turn the mixer to low and gradually add flour mixture. Beat until just combined, about 30 seconds.
Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is turning golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out just slightly moist, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Holding edges of foil, lift the bars out of the pan and let cool completely on wire rack. Cut into squares.
In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, whisk together Nutella and heavy cream until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars. Serve.
Other Nutella recipes:
Savory Sweet Life's Nutella Chocolate Cobbler
Bell'alimento's Nutella Cinnamon Rolls with Cherry Glaze
Cake Duchess' Crostata alla Nutella
Printable Recipe
Chewy Nutella & Oatmeal Bar Recipe for World Nutella Day
Ingredients
The Bars:
- 1 â…“ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup roughly chopped hazelnuts
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
The Drizzle:
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Nutella
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
The Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, with rack set in middle of the oven. Line a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving a some foil overlapping on each side. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and ground nutmeg.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, one a time, beating after each addition.
- Turn the mixer to low and gradually add flour mixture. Beat until just combined, about 30 seconds. Stir in oatmeal, chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is turning golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out just slightly moist, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Holding edges of foil, lift the bars out of the pan and let cool completely on wire rack. Cut into squares.
The Drizzle:
- In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, whisk together Nutella and heavy cream until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars. Serve.
Eliana
What an incredible way to celebrate. These are making my mouth water right now.
Howe to Cook
Mmm! I could go for some of these!
Cher
Ok thanks so much! And I love the word drizzle-able 🙂
Cookin' Canuck
Cher - I am not sure what the Carnation thick cream is, but it sounds like a better option than the cream substitute. The point of the cream is just to make the heated Nutella more drizzle-able (nice word, huh?), so the thick cream should work.
Cher
I have another question. I got my oats (large flake oats which apparently the same as old fashioned oats). I also asked my husband to get me heavy cream, I forgot to mention it was called whipping cream here like my mom had always told me (the stuff you get in the 'milk' containers). Anyways he brought back Carnation Thick Cream. Now can I use this or should I use the heavy cream substitute I found which is milk and butter/margarine. I just don't want to wait any longer for my bars! LOL Thanks 🙂
Cher
Thanks for answering so quickly, I guess I shall have to break down and buy some real oats then! I don't want to miss out on the chewiness 😉
Cookin' Canuck
Cher, you can use quick-cooking oats. However, you will lose a little flavor. Plus, the bars will not be as chewy, which is definitely a downside for these bars.
Cher
Can I use quick oats instead? I have some in the cupboard I'd like to use up but not sure if maybe the quick oats would cook too quick! LOL Thanks and this looks fabulous!
Pavithra
Wow Scrumptious bars looks absolutely awesome... Love all ur shots.
Pavithra
http://www.dishesfrommykitchen.com
Darla
Those look incredibly irresistible!